A Hill and a Beach

Arizona Runners value a hill. If we come across such a treasure, we take note and remember it. We cherish the feeling of ascending. Of breathing harder and challenging our muscles in a new way. It doesn’t happen often.

I was very excited about the hill I had to run over to get to the beach. The beach was about a mile from our hotel.

In case anyone wants to repeat this vacation- we stayed at the Hyatt. Ive included a picture of the hill I got to run over.

And a picture of the beach I ran along. Although I chose not to run on the sand. I ran on a sidewalk that was parallel to the beach.

I was doing intervals, and so was the guy in front of me. I was hoping to pass him at least once. I didn’t even care if I was passing him on my speedy interval, and it was his slow interval. But it never happened. Oh well. Some satisfactions are never realized. Every time I was about to pass him, he started into a fast sprint. I didn’t see a garmin on his arm. I wondered if he was using me to know when to start a sprint. Maybe every time he heard me gaining?

Part of the morning scenery included 5 or so drop-dead female models in skimpy bikini’s and high heels. They seriously looked more like life-size barbies than real people. A reporter was interviewing them in front of the waves. All part of the San Diego experience!

I intended to run a total of 8 miles. When I was approaching 8 miles, and thought I was almost home, I wondered where my hill was. Then I saw my hotel- across an inlet. Without Cynthia there to navigate, I had somehow taken a wrong turn and ended up in the way wrong place.

After nearly calling Noah several times for a rescue- I ran around until I found the hill home. And ended with only a half mile more than what Id intended. Not a bad “lost”.

Isn’t a new running route one of the absolute best things about vacation???